Sources of Health Insurance
and Characteristics of the Uninsured,

Mountain States, 1997

Montana

 The percentage of Montana's nonelderly population
(under age 65) without health insurance coverage in 1997 was 22.1
percent. This was higher than the national rate, 18.3 percent.
Montana's nonelderly population has a lower rate of private
coverage, 67.2 percent, than the national rate of 70.9 percent.

 Children living in Montana--infants through age 17--had
a lower rate of employment-based health insurance coverage, 54.2
percent, than the national rate, 59.7 percent. The uninsured rate
for children in Montana, 18.0 percent, was above the national
rate, 15.0 percent.

 Children living in families with incomes below the
federal poverty level were most likely to be uninsured, 31.3
percent, and children in families with income at 400 percent or
more of the federal poverty level were least likely, 3.1 percent.

 Montana workers had a lower rate of employment-based
health insurance coverage, 63.6 percent, than the national rate,
72.2 percent. Also, 46.9 percent of Montana workers had
employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name
(meaning they were the primary beneficiaries), compared with 55.0
percent for the nation.

 Larger firms were more likely than smaller firms to
provide coverage: 66.0 percent of Montana workers in firms with
1,000 or more workers had coverage in their own name, compared
with 17.9 percent of workers in firms with fewer than 10
employees.

 Among Montana workers, the most likely to have
employment-based health insurance in their own name were those in
manufacturing, 70.6 percent, and in transportation,
communications, and utilities, 69.8 percent. Workers in finance,
insurance, and real estate had the lowest uninsured rate in the
state, less than 1 percent, followed by government workers at
11.4 percent. Workers in wholesale/retail trade and in
construction had the highest uninsured rates in the state, 35.6
percent and 34.1 percent, respectively.

Idaho

 The percentage of Idaho's nonelderly population (under
age 65) without health insurance coverage in 1997 was 20.0
percent. This was higher than the national rate, 18.3 percent.
Idaho's nonelderly population had a higher rate of private
coverage, 71.1 percent, than the national rate of 70.9 percent.

 Children living in Idaho--infants through age 17--had a
lower rate of employment-based health insurance coverage, 56.4
percent, than the national rate, 59.7 percent. The uninsured rate
for children in Idaho, 18.6 percent, was also higher the national
rate, 15.0 percent.

 Children living in families with incomes just below the
federal poverty the most likely to be uninsured, 37.4 percent,
and children in families with incomes at 400 percent or more of
the federal poverty level were least likely to be uninsured, 5.1
percent.

 Idaho workers had a lower rate of employment-based
health insurance coverage, 68.8 percent, than the national rate,
72.2 percent. Also, 52.0 percent of Idaho workers had
employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name
(meaning they were the primary beneficiaries), compared with 55.0
percent for the nation.

 Larger firms were more likely than smaller firms to
provide coverage: 71.5 percent of Idaho workers in firms with
1,000 or more workers had coverage in their own name, compared
with 22.7 percent of workers in firms with fewer than 10
employees.

 Among Idaho workers, the most likely to have
employment-based health insurance in their own name were those in
government, 71.8 percent, and in manufacturing, 71.6 percent.
Workers in government had the lowest uninsured rate in the state,
7.7 percent, followed by those in transportation, communications,
and utilities, 12.1 percent. Workers in agriculture/mining and in
construction had the highest uninsured rates in the state at 39.8
percent and 34.0 percent, respectively.

Wyoming

 The percentage of Wyoming's nonelderly population
(under age 65) without health insurance coverage in 1997 was 17.6
percent. This was lower than the national rate, 18.3 percent.
Wyoming's nonelderly population had a higher rate of private
coverage, 72.3 percent, than the national rate, 70.9 percent.

 Children living in Wyoming--infants through age 17--had
a higher rate of employment-based health insurance coverage, 64.3
percent, than the national rate, 59.7 percent. The uninsured rate
for children in Wyoming,
13.5 percent, was below the national rate, 15.0 percent.

 Children living in families with incomes below the
federal poverty level were most likely to be uninsured, 29.2
percent, and children in families with incomes at 400 percent or
more of the federal poverty level were least likely to be
uninsured, 8.0 percent.

 Wyoming workers had a lower rate of employment-based
health insurance coverage, 66.7 percent, than the national rate,
72.2 percent. Also, 46.0 percent of Wyoming workers had
employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name
(meaning they were the primary beneficiaries), compared with 55.0
percent for the nation. Wyoming had the third-lowest rate of
employment-based coverage for workers in their own name. New
Mexico and North Dakota had lower rates.

 Larger firms were more likely than smaller firms to
provide coverage: 57.5 percent of Wyoming workers in firms with
1,000 or more workers had coverage in their own name, compared
with 23.4 percent of workers in firms with fewer than 10
employees.

 Among Wyoming workers, the most likely to have
employment-based health insurance in their own name were those in
transportation, communications, and utilities, 68.6 percent, and
in government, 66.4 percent. Government workers had the lowest
uninsured rate in the state, 7.4 percent, followed by workers in
manufacturing, 11.3 percent. The highest uninsured rates in the
state were among workers in construction, 34.4 percent, and in
wholesale/retail trade, 31.9 percent.

Colorado

 The percentage of Colorado's nonelderly population
(under age 65) without health insurance coverage in 1997 was 16.5
percent. This was lower than the national rate, 18.3 percent.
Colorado's nonelderly population also had a higher rate of
private coverage, 76.7 percent, than the national rate, 70.9
percent.

 Children living in Colorado--infants through age
17--had a higher rate of employment-based health insurance
coverage, 67.0 percent, than the national rate, 59.7 percent. The
uninsured rate for children in Colorado,
13.4 percent, was below the national rate, 15.0 percent.

 Children living in families with incomes at 150-199
percent the federal poverty level were most likely to be
uninsured, 29.8 percent, and children in families with incomes of
400 percent or more of the federal poverty level were least
likely to be uninsured, 6.6 percent.

 Colorado workers had a higher rate of employment-based
health insurance coverage,72.6 percent, than the national rate,
72.2 percent. Also, 56.7 percent of Colorado workers had
employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name
(meaning they were the primary beneficiaries), compared with 55.0
percent for the nation.

 Larger firms were more likely than smaller firms to
provide coverage: 72.2 percent of Colorado workers in firms with
1,000 or more workers had coverage in their own name, compared
with 33.0 percent of those in firms with fewer than 10 employees.

 Among Colorado workers, the most likely to have
employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name were
those in transportation, communications and utilities, 76.3
percent, and in manufacturing, 75.9 percent. Transportation,
communications, and utility workers had the lowest uninsured rate
in the state, 6.2 percent, followed by workers in government, 7.8
percent. Workers in construction and in agriculture/mining had
the highest uninsured rates in the state at 31.5 percent and 28.8
percent, respectively.

New Mexico

 The percentage of New Mexico's nonelderly population
(under age 65) without health insurance coverage in 1997 was 25.2
percent. This was higher than the national rate, 18.3 percent.
New Mexico's nonelderly population also had a lower rate of
private coverage, 59.6 percent, than the national rate, 70.9
percent. New Mexico had the second-lowest rate of private health
insurance coverage. Arkansas had the lowest rate.

 Children living in New Mexico--infants through age
17--had a lower rate of employment-based health insurance
coverage, 46.6 percent, than the national rate, 59.7 percent. New
Mexico had the second-lowest rate of employment-based coverage
for children. The District of Columbia had the lowest rate. The
uninsured rate for children in New Mexico, 20.1 percent, was
above the national rate, 15.0 percent.

 Children living in families with incomes below the
federal poverty level were most likely to be uninsured, 32.3
percent, and children in families with incomes at 400 percent or
more of the federal poverty level were least likely to be
uninsured, 2.8 percent.

 New Mexico workers had a lower rate of employment-based
health insurance coverage, 62.4 percent, than the national rate,
72.2 percent. New Mexico had the lowest rate of employment-based
coverage for workers. Also, 45.1 percent of New Mexico workers
had employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name
(meaning they were the primary beneficiaries), compared with 55.0
percent for the nation. New Mexico workers had the second-lowest
rate of employment-based health insurance coverage in their own
name. North Dakota had a lower rate.

 Larger firms were more likely than smaller firms to
provide coverage: 61.2 percent of New Mexico's workers in firms
with 1,000 or more workers had coverage in their own name,
compared with 16.9 percent of workers in firms with fewer than 10
employees.

 Among New Mexico workers, the most likely to have
employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name were
those in transportation, communications, and utilities, 75.1
percent, and in government, 67.1 percent. Workers in
transportation, communications, and utilities had the lowest
uninsured rate in the state, 8.8 percent, followed by those in
government, 11.6 percent. Workers in construction and in
wholesale/retail trade had the highest uninsured rates in the
state, at 44.6 percent and 38.6 percent, respectively.

Arizona

 The percentage of Arizona's nonelderly population
(under age 65) without health insurance coverage in 1997 was 27.9
percent. This was higher than the national rate, 18.3 percent.
Arizona had the second-highest uninsured rate. Arkansas had a
higher uninsured rate. Arizona's nonelderly population had a
lower rate of private coverage, 62.6 percent, than the national
rate, 70.9 percent. Arizona had the third-lowest rate of private
health insurance coverage. Arkansas and New Mexico had lower
rates.

 Children living in Arizona--infants through age 17--had
a lower rate of employment-based health insurance coverage, 50.7
percent, than the national rate, 59.7 percent. The uninsured rate
for children in Arizona, 27.0 percent, was above the national
rate, 15.0 percent. Arizona had the highest uninsured rate for
children.

 Children living in families with incomes just above the
federal poverty level-100 percent to 149 percent of poverty--were
most likely to be uninsured, 44.7 percent, and children in
families with incomes at 400 percent or more of the federal
poverty level were least likely to be uninsured, 4.2 percent.

 Arizona workers had a lower rate of employment-based
health insurance coverage, 63.5 percent, than the national rate,
72.2 percent. Arizona had the third-lowest rate of
employment-based coverage for workers. New Mexico and Arkansas
had lower rates. Also, 47.7 percent of Arizona workers had
employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name
(meaning they were the primary beneficiaries), compared with 55.0
percent for the nation.

 Larger firms were more likely than smaller firms to
provide coverage: 62.6 percent of Arizona workers in firms with
1,000 or more workers had coverage in their own name, compared
with 19.8 percent of workers in firms with fewer than 10
employees.

 Arizona workers most likely to have employment-based
health insurance coverage in their own name were those in
government, 73.9 percent, and in manufacturing, 67.7 percent.
Workers in government had the lowest uninsured rate in the state,
12.9 percent, followed by workers in finance, insurance, and real
estate at 13.6 percent. Workers in agriculture/mining and in
construction had the highest uninsured rates in the state, at
60.0 percent and 42.9 percent, respectively.

Utah

 The percentage of Utah's nonelderly population (under
age 65) without health insurance coverage in 1997 was 14.8
percent. This was lower than the national rate, 18.3 percent.
Utah's nonelderly population had a higher rate of private
coverage, 79.7 percent, than the national rate, 70.9 percent.

 Children living in Utah--infants through age 17--had a
higher rate of employment-based health insurance coverage, 70.1
percent, than the national rate, 59.7 percent. The uninsured rate
for children in Utah, 12.5 percent, was below the national rate,
15.0 percent.

 Children living in families with incomes below the
federal poverty level were most likely to be uninsured, 24.9
percent, and children in families with incomes at 400 percent or
more of the federal poverty level were least likely to be
uninsured, 8.9 percent.

 Utah workers had a higher rate of employment-based
health insurance coverage, 75.4 percent, than the national rate,
72.2 percent. Also, 50.3 percent of Utah workers had
employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name
(meaning they were the primary beneficiaries), compared with 55.0
percent for the nation.

 Larger firms were more likely than smaller firms to
provide coverage: 64.8 percent of Utah workers in firms with
1,000 or more workers had coverage in their own name, compared
with 25.9 percent of workers in firms with fewer than 10
employees.

 Utah workers most likely to have employment-based
health insurance coverage in their own name were those in
government, 71.9 percent, and in transportation, communications,
and utilities, 64.2 percent. Workers in government had the lowest
uninsured in the state, 2.5 percent, followed by workers in
finance, insurance, and real estate, 10.4 percent. Workers in
construction and in agriculture/mining had the highest uninsured
rates in the state, at 32.5 percent and 23.2 percent,
respectively.

Nevada

 The percentage of Nevada's nonelderly population (under
age 65) without health insurance coverage in 1997 was 20.0
percent. This was higher than the national rate, 18.3 percent.
Nevada's nonelderly population also had a higher rate of private
coverage, 73.4 percent, than the national rate, 70.9 percent.

 Children living in Nevada--infants through age 17--had
a higher rate of employment-based health insurance coverage, 61.2
percent, than the national rate, 59.7 percent. The uninsured rate
for children in Nevada, 19.7 percent, was above the national
rate, 15.0 percent.

 Children living in families with incomes below the
federal poverty level were most likely to be uninsured, 45.9
percent, and children in families with incomes at 400 percent or
more of the federal poverty level were least likely to be
uninsured, 5.3 percent.

 Nevada workers had a higher rate of employment-based
health insurance coverage, 76.7 percent, than the national rate,
72.2 percent. Also, 61.4 percent of Nevada workers had
employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name
(meaning they were the primary beneficiaries), compared with 55.0
percent for the nation. Nevada workers had the third-highest rate
of employment-based health insurance coverage in their own name.
The District of Columbia and Indiana had higher rates.

 Larger firms were more likely than smaller firms to
provide coverage: 74.4 percent of Nevada workers in firms with
1,000 or more workers had coverage in their own name, compared
with 36.2 percent of workers in firms with fewer than 10
employees.

 Nevada workers most likely to have employment-based
health insurance coverage in their own name were those in
transportation, communications, and utilities, 85.0 percent, and
in government, 74.7 percent. Workers in government had the lowest
uninsured in the state, 5.2 percent, followed by workers in
finance, insurance, and real estate, 8.8 percent. Workers in
agriculture/mining had the highest uninsured rate in the state,
31.4 percent, followed by workers who were self-employed, 28.2
percent.

Choose to Save is a program of the Employee Benefit Research Institute's Education and Research Fund.
1100 13th St. NW, Suite 878, Washington, DC 20005
Copyright 1996–2018 Employee Benefit Research Institute. All rights reserved.
Choose to Save, Save for Your Future, Ballpark E$timate, EBRI, and Employee Benefit Research Institute are registered trademarks of the Employee Benefit Research Institute.